Nexen completes tire R&D programme with Seoul university

Seoul – Nexen Tire has completed a semester-long tire research and development programme established jointly with the College of Engineering at Seoul National University.

The course was incorporated into the university's regular curriculum through the department of chemical and biological engineering and focused on AI- and virtual simulation-based tire development, Nexen said 8 June.

The company described the programme as the first regular university course of its kind involving South Korea's tire industry.

In addition to lectures, the course included a practical visit by the students to Nexen's central research facility in Magok, Seoul, where they toured R&D facilities to learn about the company's virtual tire development processes.

The visit included demonstrations of Nexen's ‘high dynamic driving simulator’, which the company said was the first of its kind introduced by a domestic tire manufacturer.

The programme concluded with team project presentations and awards, followed by a lecture by vice chairman Kang Ho-chan on what Nexen described as the "mutual growth of growth companies and engineering talent."

Kang, said Nexen, emphasised the role of technology-driven management in the mobility sector and spoke discussed career development and opportunities in engineering with the students.

Nexen said it is also working on other academic projects, including a study with Seoul National University to on improve winter tire design precision through the independent development of a snow material property testing machine.

The tire maker has also established an 'AI-based NVH prediction tool' with Yonsei University capable of responding to noise, vibration, and shock in advance during the early design stage.

Another project with Hanyang University concerns the development of performance prediction technology based on 'multi-modal data AI' for the simultaneous analysis of tire images and design factors.

"AI and virtual technology have emerged as key elements of future mobility, [and] we are strengthening cooperation with universities to secure technology proactively and foster outstanding talent," a Nexen official said.

The company added that it plans to continue expanding joint research and education programmes with universities in South Korea and overseas.